Missouri Workers' Compensation Decisions

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to Robert Bayer for a compensable work injury sustained on September 30, 2005, with a correction reducing permanent partial disability from 160 weeks to 120 weeks (30% of body as a whole). The corrected award provides 11 weeks of temporary total disability benefits ($5,554.12) and 120 weeks of permanent partial disability benefits ($43,809.60).

The Commission affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's award denying compensation to Timothy P. Whitworth, finding that he failed to establish the existence of an accident or occupational disease and failed to prove a causal connection between his work activities and his back condition. The employee's credibility was questioned and his claims against the Second Injury Fund were denied.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the January 14, 2011 award of the administrative law judge, modifying its designation from a partial award to a temporary or partial award. The Commission accepted jurisdiction solely to correct the award's classification and kept proceedings open for future final award determination.

The Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to employee Maribel Vega-Rivera for an occupational disease of both upper extremities caused by repetitive job duties, with awards for temporary total disability, permanent partial disability (12.5% left, 15% right with 10% bilateral load), medical expenses, and disfigurement. The employer's challenge that the employee was not covered under Missouri Workers' Compensation Law was rejected, and all findings regarding employment status, causation, and disability were upheld.

The Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to employee Elmer Leroy Harrison for a work-related injury sustained on February 21, 2007, while pushing a metal cart. The claimant was awarded permanent total disability benefits along with past temporary disability compensation and medical aid costs.

The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission affirmed the administrative law judge's award of workers' compensation benefits to employee Lenton Eason, finding the award supported by competent and substantial evidence. The Commission also determined that the employee's claim for interest on past medical expenses from the Second Injury Fund was not yet ripe for consideration as no final award had been issued at the time the claim was amended.